Spring being delayed by long winter

16:03:20 11th March 2010

Garden and greenhouse fans have been made to wait for the growing season to begin, thanks to a longer than usual winter.

That is the opinion of BBC Berkshire expert Colin Evans, who has noted that by this time of year, snowdrops, crocus and daffodils are usually in full bloom.

The horticulturalist advised gardeners wishing to grow potatoes to buy early seed varieties now and place them on trays in a light and airy place to germinate.

A greenhouse is an ideal place to do this and carrying out such a task will help give growers a head start when it comes time to transplant them into containers or the earth later this month.

Those wishing to spruce up the garden quickly can invest in some new plants from the garden centre and Mr Evans particularly recommended Polyanthus and Violas due to the fact that they should be flowering around now.

Meanwhile, the Haverhill Weekly News has revealed that pupils at the nearby Castle Hill Middle School have received growing tips from a Royal Horticultural Society expert.